Improvement in portable fence-panel fastenings



UNITED A STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LAFAYETTE WHITNEY, OF MUNGIE, INDIANA.

IMPROVEMENT lN PORTABLE FENCE-PANEL FASTENINGS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 219,610, dated September 16, 1879; application filed June 10, 1879.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LAFAYETTE WHITNEY, of Muncie, in thecounty of Delaware and State of Indiana, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Portable Fence-Panels and Fastenings for the Same, of which the followin g is a description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings. 7

The object of my invention is to provide a fence-panel and a device for fastening the panels of a fence together, and which at the same time will hold the panels in such a position as to support the fence.

My invention consists, mainly, in the new construction and arrangement of the fastening devices and fence-panels; also,in the new combination of the iasteningdevices and the panels of a fence, whereby the panels are firmly united together and each panel held in an angularposition similar tothat of a worm-fence, thereby forming a support for holding the fence in an upright position, as will be hereinafter fully set forth and described. In the accompanying drawings, in which like letters of reference in the different figures indicate like parts, Figure 1 represents a perspective view of three panels of a fence united together by my improved fastening, showing the manner in which they form their own support. Fig. 2 is a top view of the same. Fig. 3 is an enlarged top view of the ends of two panels, showing the stiles out off at the top of the fastening-plates; also, showing the manner in which the plates are secured to the stiles. Figs. 4, 5, and 6 represent, respectively, a top View and afront and rear elevation of one of the clamps or fastening-plates; and Figs. 7, 8, and 9 represent a top view and a front and rear elevation of the other clamp-plate or fastening.

Referring to the drawings, A A represent the vertical stiles or ends of the fence-panels. B represents the rails.

The stiles AAmay be made from thin boards, and the rails B secured between them 5 or one rail, B, may be used, near the center of the stiles, and barbed wires m 1) may be stretched across from stile to stile, as shown at the righthand side of Fig. 1. Thus the fence-panels may be made up of plain boards and barbed wire.

The fastening clamp or plates 0 E are of peculiar construction, to wit: The plate 0 is cast with angular sides similar to that shown in Fig. 4, the angle of each side being equal to that in which the panels of the fence are to be set, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. The upper and lower edges of said plate, on the inner side, are provided with spurs or lugs w w and o. The lug or spur o in the center is designed to form a stop for the ends of twopanels to abut against, and the spurs w w are to be forced into the wood or sides of the stiles A A, and prevent the panels from pulling apart when the clamps are fastened together.

The central part of the plate 0 is provided with a hole, at, for the bolt 61 to pass through, and the outer face of the plate may be provided with ribs t i to strengthen it, if desired. The plate E also is cast with angular sides, similar to that shown in Fig. 7, and is designed to fit in the corner on the inner sides of the angle formed by the two fence-panels, as shown in Fig. 3. The outer face, or that part of the plate E that comes in contact with the stiles A A, also may be provided with spurs w w, similar to those on the other plate, 0, and for the same purpose. The rear face of the plate E is ribbed, as shown at H, for the purpose of strengthening the plate, and a hole, W, is made near the center to receive the bolt d, as shown in Figs. 8 and 9.

When it is desired to set up the fence, two panels are first taken. One end of each is then brought together, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. The plate (3 is placed on one side and the plate E on the other side of the panels, about midway of the height of the stiles A, and secured by the bolt (1, thus firmly uniting the two pair els, the spurs w to entering the stiles and preventing the panels from pulling apart. Should it be desired to give greater strength, then two or more sets of plates, 0 E, may be used; but for fences of ordinary height one set is all that is necessary.

The panels when united together form a worm-fence like that shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

The fence when erected on the ground supports itself in an upright position, and may have occasionally a stake driven into the ground on each side to prevent the wind from moving it out of position. The panels may rest on the ground, or on blocks, stones, bricks, or other suitable supports.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The clamp-plate O, with angulansides, combined with the plate E, also having angular sides, the bolt (1, and. fence-panels B B, as and for the purpose specified.

2. The clamp-plate O, with angular sides and spurs a w and v, combined with the plate E, having angular sides and spurs w w, the bolt 01, and fence-panels B B, as and for the purpose specified.

3. As an article of manufacture, the fastening device consisting of the angular clamp-plates O E, with spurs w w and v, and. the bolt (1, as and for the purpose specified.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two'subscribing witnesses. i

LAFAYETTE WHITNEY.

Witnesses:

E. O. FRINK, G. A. BENNETT. 

